Citizen Connect: Without a subway, most Ernavoor residents choose to cross rail tracks

Residents of Ernavoor want the Railways to construct a limited-use subway near the bus stop to enable thousands of people living in the locality on the West side of the railway tracks (Central-Gummidipoondi section) to reach fishing hamlets along the beach road on the other side. A limited-use subway is usually constructed within a day or two and allows only two-wheelers and autos among vehicles to pass through.

In the absence of a flyover or a subway at Ernavoor, the residents of various localities including Mullai Nagar, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Ramanathapuram and Shanmughapuram are forced to travel over four to five kilometres via Ernavoor bridge or Kathivakkam flyover to reach Beach Road.

Residents have been complaining that with the crematorium located on the east side of the track if someone died at Ernavoor, the body is taken to the graveyard by crossing the railway tracks. “If one has to travel via the road, it will be a five-km long journey via the main road. So, people are risking their lives by dangerously crossing the tracks because there is no subway in Ernavoor,” resident K Devendran said, adding that a foot bridge near the Ernavoor bridge has dilapidated.

“With heavy container traffic along the Ennore Expressway, people living in Ernavoor and adjoining localities prefer crossing the railway tracks to reach Beach Road and the government hospital at the Tsunami quarters,” he added.

K Venkataiah of CPI (M) Ernavoor unit said that they had recently held a signature campaign urging the Railways and the State government to construct a limited-use subway near Ernavoor bus stop. “We also demanded the construction of a pedestrian pavement from Wimco Railway station to Ernavoor Balaji Nagar along the ITC compound,” he said, adding that the petition has been handed over to North Chennai MP Kalanidhi Veerasamy who in turn promised to inspect the area and take up the issue with railway officials.

Meanwhile, a railway official said that a limited-use subway could be constructed only if it meets certain criteria especially those related to traffic. “Only after a proper investigation can it be ascertained whether a subway is required in the area or not,” the official said.